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Launch offerComplete inspection $199 $149

Pre-purchase car inspection · Toronto & up to 100 km

Don't buy a used car without checking it first.

Buying from Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji or a private seller? A diagnostic specialist with 10+ years of experience checks the car, the paperwork and the price before you pay, then tells you whether to buy, negotiate or walk away.

Free: paste any car ad and spot the red flags in seconds

Written report with photosClear buy / don't-buy advicePay after the inspectionWe come to you, up to 100 km

10+ yearsAutomotive buying and selling experience

DiagnosticsAutomotive diagnostic expertise on every check

3 partner shopsEtobicoke, Brampton and North York, for any repairs we find

Up to 100 kmToronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville, Woodbridge and more

Why check first

A used car can look perfect and still have hidden problems.

Private sellers don't have to tell you everything. These are the problems we look for before you pay.

Hidden engine and transmission problems

Noises, leaks, slipping gears and cleared warning codes that only show up after you buy.

Accident history

Repainted panels and uneven gaps can hide a past collision that lowers the car's value.

Odometer discrepancies

Wear that doesn't match the kilometres, and records that don't add up.

Outstanding vehicle liens

If the seller still owes money on the car, the debt can follow the vehicle. We check the UVIP.

Expensive repairs

Brakes, tires, suspension and leaks you'd pay for in the first months of ownership.

Misleading sellers

Names that don't match the ownership, rushed deals and "it just needs a sensor".

Ontario safety inspection concerns

Issues that could stop the car passing a Safety Standards Certificate.

Check it before you pay.

One inspection costs far less than one surprise repair.

Book for $149

How it works

Four steps to a confident decision.

  1. Find a used car and send us the listing.

    Share the Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji or AutoTrader link on WhatsApp or the form below.

  2. Book your vehicle inspection.

    Pick a day. We arrange the time and place with the seller.

  3. We inspect the vehicle and review available history information.

    Condition, OBD-II scan, documents, UVIP and lien, and any history report you have.

  4. Receive a report and professional buying recommendations.

    Clear findings with photos, a fair price range and what to do next.

Pricing

One clear price.

No hidden fees. You know the cost before we go.

Complete Pre-Purchase Inspection

Launch price
$199
$149CAD

You save $50 · Limited-time launch offer

What's included

  • Inside and out: body, paint, panel gaps, glass, lights, interior, seats, A/C, heat and electronics
  • Under the hood and underneath: engine, transmission, fluids, leaks, belts, battery, frame, rust, exhaust
  • Wheels and brakes: tires, brakes, suspension and steering, one component at a time
  • Full computer scan: engine, transmission, ABS, airbag and other modules, plus a warning-light review
  • Cold start and test drive, when the seller allows
  • Ontario UVIP, lien and ownership check
  • Accident and mileage-history review of the information available
  • Written findings with photos
  • Estimated repair costs for anything we find, so you can negotiate the price down
  • Buying recommendations: fair price range and what to negotiate

One hidden problem, like a transmission, a rusted frame or a lien, can cost you thousands. Knowing before you pay is the cheapest repair there is.

May cost extra: history reports such as CARFAX, travel beyond the GTA (up to 100 km), and specialized testing. We always tell you the price before we book.

Book Your $149 Inspection

This is a pre-purchase inspection, not an Ontario Safety Standards Certificate or a guarantee. No inspection can confirm that a used vehicle is free of problems.

What your report looks like

Example vehicle · 2016 compact SUV · 148,000 km

Sample
  • Verified
    VIN on dash and door matches the UVIP
  • Verified
    No warning lights after start-up
  • Verified
    Seller name matches the owner on the UVIP
  • Attention
    Lien listed on the UVIPDo not pay until the seller gives you a lien discharge letter.
  • Attention
    Front brake pads close to replacementEst. repair $250–350. Use this to negotiate the price.
  • Unknown
    Accident historyNo history report supplied.
  • Unknown
    OBD-II readiness monitors incompleteCodes may have been cleared recently.
Recommendation (sample)Buy only after the lien is discharged. Offer less to cover the brake work.

See a full sample report →  ·  See the full checklist →

Why choose CarTick

More than a quick look under the hood.

Here's what you get with CarTick compared with the usual options.

Swipe to compare →

FeatureCARTICKTypical mobile mechanicSeller's or dealer's own check
Price$149 launchVaries, often $150–250Free, but done by the seller
Comes to the car (driveway, lot, dealer)YesUsuallyNo
Works only for you, the buyerYesVariesNo, works for the seller
Full computer scan: engine, transmission, ABS, airbagYesSometimes engine onlyVaries
Ontario UVIP lien & ownership checkYesRarelyNot independent
Written report with photos, same dayYesSometimesRarely
Estimated repair costs to help you negotiateYesRarelyNo
Free Listing Checker & VIN/recall toolsYesNoNo
Partner repair shops if work is neededYesVariesTheir own shop
Pay after the inspectionYesVaries—
Book Your $149 Inspection

"Typical" columns describe common market practice, not any specific business.

Why CarTick

Experience you can trust.

TPhoto placeholder

Founder & lead inspector

Mr. Tahir

Automotive diagnostic specialist · CarTick

I know what to look for, and what sellers try to hide. Every inspection is done for you, the buyer.

    Shop photo placeholder

    Repair partner · Etobicoke

    AC/DCAuto Centre

    • Mechanical repairs
    • Electrical repairs
    • Diagnostics
    • Safety inspections

    Fully licensed shop with 20+ years of experience. Complete automotive repair services. If your inspection finds work to do, or you need a Safety Standards Certificate, book it directly with AC/DC Auto Centre. They are a separate business.

    1749 Albion Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9V 1C3 647-366-6660 · Malik acdcautocentre@gmail.com Mon–Fri 8am–7pm · Sat 8am–5pm · Sun closed

    Repair partner · Brampton

    McCrackenAuto Service

    • Engine diagnostics
    • Engine repair
    • Brakes
    • Electrical repair
    • Air conditioning
    • General repair

    Fully licensed shop with 25+ years of experience. Buying in Brampton or Peel? If your inspection finds work to do, book it directly with McCracken Auto Service. They are a separate business.

    Repair partner · North York

    Right AutoService Centre

    • Car repair
    • Maintenance

    Buying in North York or west Toronto? If your inspection finds work to do, book it directly with Right Auto Service Centre. They are a separate business.

    Free tools

    Check a car before you even call.

    New · Free Listing CheckerPaste any Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji or AutoTrader ad.Get scam warnings, a price check and the questions to ask the seller. Check a Listing

    VIN & recall check

    What is this car, really?

    Enter the VIN from the listing or the dashboard. We check it's valid, show the real details, and look up safety recalls.

    0 / 17 ·

    Red-flag checker

    Is this listing risky?

    Tick anything that matches the listing or the seller.

      No flags yet0 ticked
        Book an inspection for this car

        For sellers

        Sell faster with a Verified Report.

        Buyers are afraid of hidden problems. Show them an independent inspection before they message you.

        • Buyers trust your carAn independent report answers their questions first.
        • One link for your listingYour report lives on our website. Paste it into your ad.
        • Fewer lowball offersProven condition leaves less to argue about.
        Book a Seller Inspection See a sample report
        CARTICKIndependent inspection report
        Report CT-20261017 · Inspected Oct 17
        2018 Honda Civic LX
        Good96,400 km · Brampton, ON
        6 verified
        2 need attention
        2 not verified
        Open the full sample →

        Service areas

        Used car inspection across Toronto, the GTA and up to 100 km.

        We come to the car: the seller's driveway, a parking lot, or a dealership.

        Used car inspection Toronto →

        Pre-purchase inspections anywhere in the city, from downtown to Scarborough and North York. Our North York repair partner, Right Auto Service Centre, is on Wilson Ave.

        Used car inspection Brampton →

        Checks for Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji cars across Brampton. Home of our repair partner, McCracken Auto Service, at 21 Union St.

        Etobicoke & North York →

        Home of two partner shops: AC/DC Auto Centre on Albion Rd and Right Auto Service Centre on Wilson Ave.

        Vaughan & Woodbridge →

        Private-sale and dealership inspections throughout York Region's west end.

        Mississauga →

        Pre-purchase car inspections for private sellers and small lots.

        Oakville, Burlington & Milton →

        Pre-purchase inspections across Halton, from Oakville to Burlington and Milton.

        Markham, Richmond Hill & Durham

        York Region and east to Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa.

        Hamilton & up to 100 km

        Farther out? We travel up to 100 km from Toronto. A travel fee may apply, quoted before you book.

        Facebook Marketplace car inspection →

        Send us the Marketplace link. We screen it, then inspect the car before you pay.

        Questions

        Before you book.

        How much does a used car inspection cost?

        $149 CAD during our launch (regularly $199) for a complete pre-purchase inspection in the GTA. History reports, travel beyond the GTA (we go up to 100 km from Toronto) and specialized testing may cost extra, and we tell you before we book.

        When and how do I pay?

        After the inspection, by Interac e-Transfer or cash.

        Can you inspect a car from Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji?

        Yes. That's most of what we do. Send us the listing and we arrange a time with the seller.

        How long does it take, and when do I get the report?

        About one hour at the car. Your written report with photos follows the same day, and we call you to walk through it.

        Do I need to be there?

        It helps, but it isn't required. We can meet the seller and send you the findings and photos right after.

        What if the seller won't allow an inspection?

        That is a red flag on its own. An honest seller has nothing to hide.

        Is this an Ontario safety certificate?

        No. It is a pre-purchase inspection. A Safety Standards Certificate is issued by a licensed inspection station, such as our partner AC/DC Auto Centre.

        Can you guarantee the car has no problems?

        No one can from a short inspection. You get a clear list of what we verified, what needs attention and what we couldn't confirm, so you decide with better information.

        Do you work for the buyer or the seller?

        For whoever books us. When you book a buyer's inspection, we never take money from the seller.

        Which areas do you serve?

        Toronto and up to 100 km around it, including Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville, Woodbridge, Vaughan, Markham, Burlington, Milton, Durham Region and Hamilton. A travel fee may apply outside the GTA, quoted before you book.

        Do you do repairs?

        No. Repairs are done by our partner shops: AC/DC Auto Centre, a fully licensed shop at 1749 Albion Road, Etobicoke, and McCracken Auto Service, a fully licensed shop with 25+ years of experience at 21 Union St, Brampton, and Right Auto Service Centre at 2025 Wilson Ave, North York. You book and pay for repairs with them directly.

        Book your inspection

        Know before you buy.

        Send the car's details. We confirm a time with you and the seller, usually by phone or WhatsApp.

        After you submit, send it to us on WhatsApp or by text in one tap.